MALAYSIA is better prepared to deal with a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant and know how to protect the most vulnerable, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

In a tweet today, Khairy said the situation was not the same as seen from June to September last year, because the country is better protected now following the national inoculation programme.

“More than a month ago, I said that we expect Omicron to become dominant here as it has elsewhere and that when it did, cases would rise. That is why we sped up our booster programme.

“We are now seeing the predicted quick rise in cases. However, there is no need to panic. There is a strong indication of decoupling between severe outcomes and cases,” he said.

He said the vaccination programmes for adults, adolescents, and soon for children ages five to 12 are working well, while the hospital utilisation rate remains under control.

“That is why we can shorten quarantine times, allow people to self-regulate and keep disruption to a minimum,” he added.

With more than 50% of adults and almost 70% of senior citizens having received their Covid-19 booster dose, Khairy said Malaysia had every hope that it could weather the Omicron wave with carefully calibrated and proportionate measures.

“Follow SOP #TRIIS. Get boosted. Get your kids vaccinated. We can do this,” he said. – Bernama, February 1, 2022.